Teaching Center Classes
WEEKLY CLASSES
We’re excited to give you a sneak peek of our weekly schedule and class offerings. Take a look at what’s coming and start planning your creative journey with us.
We can’t wait to share the studio with you again!
*Class registrations are on hold for now until we know when we can officially welcome students back.
General Information about our Weekly Classes
ADULT CLASSES: Our classes are designed to welcome the beginner, welcome back the prodigal potter, guide an enthusiast to next steps, and offer mentorship for those wanting to explore their skills and learn from a generous community of artists.
INCLUDED IN YOUR CLASS: Each class comes with 25 lbs of clay, all your glazes and firings, plus 16 hours of open studio time to use during the session. Need more time? Extra hours are just $10 each. If you go over on clay, there may be a small extra fee for firing and glazing.
CLASS SIZE & TIME: We allow up to 12 students per class. If a class is full, you may ask to be put on the waitlist. The last day of class for each session is 1 hour longer than the others due to more time needed for glazing your work.
FIRINGS FOR OUR CLASSES: All of our classes will initially be firing cone 6 oxidation in electric kilns, while we are starting up again. We hope to offer classes with cone 10 reduction firings in our gas kilns in the future once we have our legs underneath us.
WHICH CLASS IS BEST FOR YOU? Check out our curated Skill Level Guide for classes to better understand what our course numbers mean. We outlined what type of student and the necessary existing skill set that we recommended for you have in order to take a specific class.
Wheel Throwing Classes
Unleash your creativity, one spin at a time!
101/102
with various instructors
Mon | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Tue | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Wed | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Sun | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Discover the joy of making pottery on the wheel in this inspiring eight-week class designed for beginners and budding artists alike. Whether you’re looking to relax, get your hands dirty, or tap into your creative side, this is your chance to slow down and shape something beautiful.
Learn the foundational skills of wheel throwing while creating your own one-of-a-kind pieces — from mugs to bowls and beyond. No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and we’ll guide you every step of the way!
Our Wheel Throwing 101/102 classes are all based on our standard lesson plan, however each teacher will inevitably bring their own flare to the class. The incredible teachers of the Wheel Throwing 101/102 classes are Judi Harwood, Maria Andrade, Amanda Bragaw, and Kyra Pruitt.
201/202
with Katie Meili Messersmith
Mon | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Do you have the basics of throwing down and are looking to go to the next level? If you are comfortable consistently centering and moving 2 to 3 pounds of clay, this intermediate throwing class is designed for you.
This class is a bit less structured than other Wheel Throwing 201/202 classes. Katie works with each student to help them reach their goals for the 8 week session. Katie tries her best to tailor the class demos to the students’ interests. There is a demo each week, and students work toward their own goals based on the demonstrations.
201/202
with Julia Mann
Thu | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Thu | 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Push your limits. Perfect your craft! Ready to level up your throwing game? Join Julia for this dynamic 8-week class designed for intermediate to advanced students who are eager to refine their skills and throw with intention.
Each session centers around a focused theme giving you the tools to create cohesive, elevated work. Past theme favorites include Intentional Vessels, Pots That Come in Sets, Pitchers Galore, and Altering Pots with Excellence. You’ll dive deep into technique, explore thoughtful design, and discover new ways to express your creative voice through clay.
This is more than just making pots. It’s about crafting with purpose, building mastery, and having a blast while doing it. Come ready to be challenged, inspired, and supported as you take your pottery to the next level!
Hand Building Classes
Shape your ideas by hand – pinch it, coil it, slab it, love it!
101/102
with Karen Dubois
Wed | 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Have Fun with Clay & Build Skills to make Great Pots
In this fun and creative 8-week class, you’ll dive into the world of hand built pottery! We’ll explore essential techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab building.
You’ll also get to experiment with texture, play with form, and learn how to add handles, feet, and other accessories to make your pieces truly unique.
This class is perfect for beginners looking for a hands-on adventure in clay!
201/202
with Karen Dubois
Wed | 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Building Pots with Parts and Pieces
This fun and challenging 8-week hand building class with Karen is designed to explore projects where you create parts and pieces and then put them together with your own flair. Karen’s eye for detail, method of teaching, and her infectious sense of humor will undoubtedly ensure you learn and laugh a lot.
You’ll get to explore different techniques to add texture, play with form, learn how to use and make your own templates, as well as how to add handles, feet, and other accessories to make your pieces truly unique.
Karen will stretch your existing understanding of the parameters that hand built pots typically have like their functionality, size, and surface treatment. If you want to learn, hone skills and explore “what if’s” then this is the class for you. Each Parts and Pieces class offers different projects from the last.
TAKE NOTE: Our Teaching Center classes are designed for adults. However, we may consider allowing students aged 16 and older to join on a case-by-case basis. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian is required to register and attend the class with them. Before registering, both the guardian and the student must schedule a meeting with the instructor and tour the center. Please note, final approval for registration is at the discretion of the instructor.
Please read our current Teaching Center Policies & Procedures by clicking the button below. You must read, understand, and be willing to abide by the safety guidelines listed below in order to register for our classes. Registration for class signifies agreement and compliance with these policies.
Teaching Center Facility Information & Cancellation Policy
Facility Information
- Our facility is wheelchair accessible
- The classroom is only open 10-15 minutes prior to class/workshop time.
- Report any problems or concerns to your instructor or to a member of The Village Potters.
- Our facility restrooms are located at the back of our vast studio space. Go to the end of the hall and turn right, follow the signs.
- No cell phone use in class unless you are taking pictures of pots.
- Only students enrolled in classes may sign up for the open studio time.
- Ask before you use a piece of equipment that you are not familiar with.
- No smoking in or outside of The Village Potters.
- Because of space and liability issues, guests are not allowed in the Teaching Center during classes or Open Studio.
- Open Studio access must be signed up for in advance using the online calendar link via Calendly. Your instructor will email the sign up link to you. If you need to cancel an open studio time that you signed up for, you may do so in your Calendly confirmation email for each specific time slot.
- Please label all your tools and clay with your name so they can be easily returned to you if they are misplaced.
Cancellation Policy
By purchasing a class registration, you agree to the following cancellation policy…
Student Cancellation
- Cancellation before 30 days to the start of class, students have the option to transfer their registration to a different class, receive a credit on their account equal to the value of the class to use for a future class within six months, or receive a refund (minus a $50 administrative fee).
- Cancellation within 29-15 days to the start of class, students will receive no refund, but will have the option to transfer their registration to a different class, or receive a credit on their account equal to the value of the class to use for a future class within six months.
- Cancellation within 15-0 days of the start of class, students will receive no refund and are ineligible for registration transfer.
- To provide you the best experience possible in the class, we restrict our class sizes to only 12 registrants. By registering for a class, you understand you are making a commitment to the instructor and reserving a spot that someone else could potentially take.
The Village Potters Clay Center Cancellation
- In the rare event that a class is canceled by The Village Potters, students will be given the option of transferring their registration to a different class, receiving a credit equal to the value of the class to use for a future class within six months, or receiving a full refund.
- A minimum number of students is required in order for a class to run. If fewer than this minimum number of students have enrolled, the instructor will reach out to each registered student a week before the class begins. They will provide an update on the situation and inform them of the specific day when a final decision will be made regarding the class status.